[10/20/04 - 12:00 AM]ABC Orders Back Nine of Two Top-10 Series; 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost' Get Full Season Pick-Ups

[via press release from ABC]

ABC ORDERS BACK NINE OF TWO TOP-10 SERIES;
"DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" AND "LOST" GET FULL SEASON PICK-UPS

The ABC Television Network has picked up two of the season's most successful freshmen series-"Desperate Housewives" and "Lost"-for the full season, it was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment.

"'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost' each bring something unique to the table, and we're thrilled that audiences responded from day one," Mr. McPherson said. "Creatively, these two shows only continue to get better."

Added Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television: "Success in our business starts with creators who are passionate about an idea. That vision is then embraced by hundreds of people who help bring it to life week-in and week-out. I am so proud of everyone associated with 'Lost' and 'Desperate Housewives,' for all their hard work and support, and we're ecstatic that viewers have responded so positively to their efforts."

A primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on "happily every after," "Desperate Housewives" takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem.

On each of its broadcasts, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" has been the No. 1 TV program on Sunday night in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The program is also the No. 1 new TV series of the new season in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. On its most recent telecast (10/17/04), the show hit new highs across the adult demos: Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. On its series debut (10/3/04), "Desperate Housewives" attracted the largest audience for any ABC series debut in eight years and was its most watched drama debut in 11 years - since 9/17/96 ("Spin City") and 9/21/93 ("NYPD Blue"), respectively. In its three airings, "Desperate Housewives" is bringing ABC 124% more Total Viewers (20.8 million vs. 9.3 million) and 131% more Adults 18-49 (9.0/21 vs. 3.9/9) to the time period than at a same point a year ago.

From executive producers J.J. Abrams (creator of "Alias"), Damon Lindelof ("Crossing Jordan") and Bryan Burk ("Alias") comes an action-packed adventure that will bring out the very best and the very worst in the people who are "Lost."

Stripped of everything, the 48 survivors of a horrific plane crash scavenge what they can from the plane for their survival. Some panic. Some pin their hopes on rescue. A few find inner strength they never knew they had. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain if they want to stay alive. But the island holds many secrets, including the intense howls of the mysterious creatures stalking the jungle, which fill them all with fear. Fortunately, thanks to the calm leadership of quick-thinking Jack and level-headed Kate, they have hope. But even heroes have secrets, as the survivors will come to learn.

For four weeks in a row (all four of its telecasts), "Lost" has been the No. 1 program in its hour among viewers and young adults. On its most recent telecast (10/13/04), "Lost" ranked as the No. 1 TV program of the night in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In addition, on the ame night the new drama drew its largest overall audience since its debut episode (9/22/04) and hit series highs in Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11. Compared to the first four weeks of last season, "Lost" has improved the hour for ABC by 6.1 million viewers (17.6 million vs. 11.5 million) and by 40% in Adults 18-49 (6.6/18 vs. 4.7/13).

"Lost" was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof and Bryan Burk serve as executive producers. Jack Bender and David Fury ("Angel") are co-executive producers. "Lost," which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, is from Touchstone Television.

[03/16/18 - 11:30 AM]USA Network Renews "The Sinner" for Season 2Season two lures Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) back to his hometown in rural New York to assess an unsettling and heart wrenching crime - parents murdered by their 11-year-old son, with no apparent motive.